TEMPE, Ariz. -
Tempe police say an 9-month-old female was mauled by her family's dog while left alone for a brief period of time Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities say the child's mother found her bleeding from the head with the dog sitting next to her.

While driving the child to an area hospital, the mother's vehicle collided another vehicle in the intersection of Dobson and Guadalupe Roads in Mesa.

Per the police report, "The mother immediately exited the vehicle, and waved down another vehicle that had stopped, and asked that driver to rush her to the hospital. That driver took the mother and injured child to the front of Banner Desert Hospital where the mother got out with the child and waved another vehicle down."

That vehicle's driver then transported the mother and child to an emergency room. The girl was treated for severe head injuries and remains in critical condition.

Police say the dog is an 8-year-old Akita that weighs 95 pounds.

Detectives are investigating the incident and they haven't released the name of the mother or child.

Tempe Police are looking to identify the two drivers that transported the mother and child to the hospital during this traumatic incident. If you have any information, call 480-350-8311.

UPDATE: On March 20, authorities say the family turned the dog over to Maricopa Animal Care and Control and requested the dog be euthanized. Tempe police say the dog has a history of violence -- attacking both the infant's mother and older sister in the past.

I’m sorry but shouldn’t the mother be held responsible also. If the animal had a history of attacking and or biting, then you would never place a child near it. There is no excuse. Makes me so angry when someone innocent has to pay the price for someone else’s stupidity.

The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to Photoplay For This Useful Post: